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To Serve Them All My Days backdrop
Drama

To Serve Them All My Days

The BBC's classic story of an English schoolmaster's life of tragedy and triumph between the wars

7.8(4)
First Aired:October 17, 1980
Seasons:1 season
Episodes:13
Status:Ended

To Serve Them All My Days is a 1980-81 British television drama serial, adapted by Andrew Davies from R. F. Delderfield's 1972 novel of the same name. David Powlett-Jones, a shell-shocked World War I veteran, becomes a teacher at an elite English boarding school, Bamfylde. The drama explores his personal growth, relationships, and evolving views on society over his 20-year career at the school.

Cast

Jonathan Duttine

Jonathan Duttine

David Powlett-Jones

Frank Middlemass

Frank Middlemass

Algy Herries

Seasons

David Powlett-Jones, a shell-shocked World War I veteran, becomes a teacher at an elite English boarding school, Bamfylde.

E1Part One

50m

Oct 17, 1980

During WWI, an injured and shell-shocked David Powlett-Jones applies to teach history at an English boys' public school, but he's concerned about whether a lower-class product of the Welsh mines can fit in.

E2Part Two

50m

Oct 24, 1980

On a holiday in Wales, David meets Beth, a vivacious young nurse from Swansea who literally sets her cap at him. After months of corresponding, David invites Beth to visit Bamfylde for the Founders' Day festivities.

E3Part Three

50m

Oct 31, 1980

David faces his wedding day with Howarth's gruff encouragement. Beth settles happily into life at Bamfylde, but David becomes agitated over a confrontation with Carter and a wealthy board member.

E4Part Four

50m

Nov 7, 1980

The twins arrive, and David gets an opportunity to shine as a substitute housemaster. Beautiful Julia Darbyshire takes a teaching post at Bamfylde, but she finds the atmosphere stifling and the isolation unbearable.

E5Part Five

50m

Nov 14, 1980

David takes over Havelock House for good and makes a curious choice for house captain. Everything goes well until Winterbourne, a Havelock boy, goes missing.

E6Part Six

50m

Nov 21, 1980

Stumbling about the moors, David finds a reason to return to Bamfylde and carry on. Five years later, sustained by his teaching and friendships with Herries and Howarth, he resumes his writing.

E7Part Seven

50m

Nov 28, 1980

When Herries announces his retirement, Carter and David square off in the competition for the new headmaster's position. Julia's gentle persuasion helps David overcome his reticence to love again but she declares that she will never return to Bamfylde.

E8Part Eight

50m

Dec 5, 1980

As Alcock takes charge and Herries bows out, the contrast between the two men is stark. The new headmaster proves to be interested in economy and sanitation above all else.

E9Part Nine

50m

Dec 12, 1980

Outraged by Alcock's campaign to interrogate boys he suspects of ""unhealthy friendships"", David lashes out and Carter moves on. David becomes fascinated with Christine, a feisty upper-class socialist and politician who despises Bamfylde.

E10Part Ten

50m

Dec 19, 1980

Alcock arranges a formal board hearing to air his grievances against David. Despite the risk, David continues to take time away to support Christine's political career. At the hearing, Alcock issues an ultimatum.

E11Part Eleven

50m

Jan 2, 1981

The masters bid farewell to Alcock in their own unique ways. David becomes the heir apparent to the headmastership, but Herries cautions David that the job won't be handed to him.

E12Part Twelve

50m

Jan 9, 1981

Preliminaries to World War II have started. To David's delight and amazement, Christine shows up at Bamfylde to enroll a new student. A trip home to Wales for a family death stirs David's emotions about his divided loyalties. The German threat looms over everything.

E13Part Thirteen

50m

Jan 16, 1981

David revels in his new life as headmaster and husband, but Christine struggles to find her place at Bamfylde. Howarth makes a telling final request, and a letter reveals the imminent loss of another dear friend.

Videos

Storyline

To Serve Them All My Days is a 1980-81 British television drama serial, adapted by Andrew Davies from R. F. Delderfield's 1972 novel of the same name. David Powlett-Jones, a shell-shocked World War I veteran, becomes a teacher at an elite English boarding school, Bamfylde. The drama explores his personal growth, relationships, and evolving views on society over his 20-year career at the school.

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